Over the years, the term “October surprise” has been applied to any unexpected event on the eve of an election that could have consequences for one campaign or another.  The indictment of former secretary of defense Caspar Weinberger only weeks before the 1992 election for his role in Iran-Contra revived the debate over President George H.W. Bush’s participation and knowledge of the scandal.  The full story of Bush’s involvement has never surfaced, primarily because his attorney general, William Barr, orchestrated pardons for key Iran-Contra players.  Bush lost his bid to be reelected, and the “October surprise” may have been a contributing factor. More

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